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“Seems like it was a serious relationship if you two were living together, yes?” he presses.
I shake my head. “It’s not what you think.”Nor is it any of your business.I sigh. “He used me on a superficial level. We were never serious. It was a mistake.”
I can tell Graham wants to ask more questions. He stares at his screen without meeting my eyes. “I will have him checked out,” he replies curtly.
I take a sip of my tea and clear my throat. “Only other person I can think of was the bartender. I just know him by frequenting the bar. How is this even going to help? It could have been a completely random act.”
I need to stop taking the pills to calm my nerves. That will end all of this nonsense and the cellular birth of a conspiracy theory. I just need to humor Graham while he tries to exhaust his resources and eventually gives up.
“Or you could have been targeted,” Graham growls.
I pull up my knees and wrap my arms around them tight. “Why? Why would someone do that to me?”
“Don’t be so naive, Angie. It will only get you into trouble. It is a big, bad, scary world out there with takers and users.”
“I’ll take my chances at that world, Graham. I can handle myself.”
“Doubtful.”
We stare at each other for several seconds before I break the deadlock and look away. Anger simmers in me. I am capable of taking care of myself. Been doing it for years. I do not need some man crashing into my life and barking orders. Women have come a long way living in a man’s world, and while the territory may not be equally divided, at least our voices are less muted than they were decades ago.
I watch in silence as Graham picks up his phone and orders an outrageous amount of Chinese takeout.
“Expecting company?” I ask with a forced smile. I’m not even sure I want to stay to enjoy it.
“Peace offering.” He takes in my body language and sighs. “You’re obviously irritated with me.”
“Seems to be a common occurrence.”
“Just start lowering your expectations, and things should level out,” he responds nonchalantly.
I burst out laughing. “Pretty sure they cannot get any lower.”
Graham chuckles too. At least in the middle of an argument, we can find the humor.
The doorbell rings, and Graham gets up to answer it. It is way too soon for the takeout to arrive. I get up to put my teacup in the sink and to try to see who it is. I crane my neck over the side wall and hear Collins’s voice.
“I got your email and will run the names through the search database. See if any names correspond to the list Penny has given.”
Penny. Why does that name sound familiar? I know I have heard her name before. Oh yes! Mark Tanner said her name to Graham which set him off.
“It’s a long shot,” Graham says softly. “Now Angie is a victim. This has got to stop. I want all resources and available men working on this, Collins. I am done playing by the rules. I am losing patience.”
“I know, sir.”
“Go against the grain if need be; I can handle the fallout and repercussions.”
“Undoubtedly. Do you still want me to move forward with what we discussed in the hospital?”
“Yes, of course,” Graham answers. “Nonintrusive. She cannot find out.”
Who cannot find out? Penny? Me?
Sensing the conversation is ending, I sneak back into the living room. I stand at the wall of windows and admire the amazing view. It truly is a beautiful city. While growing up in Baker City had the perk of having small-town intimacy, it lacked the boldness and inclusiveness that Portland brings. People here are accepting and way less nosy.
The glass fogs until I cannot see the details of the outside world. I turn around, and my eyes land on Graham leaning against the wall holding a remote. He hits a button, and the glass appears transparent again.
“Showing off your toy, Mr. Hoffman?”
